Corneal laceration/ abrasion treatment in horses (stationary treatment in more serious cases)

All animals who experience eye squinting, lacrimation, or ocular/ eye inflammation have to be examined to eliminate the possibility of corneal laceration/abrasion. Surface and small corneal abrasions are treated with eye drops containing antibiotics and regularly heal within 1–2 weeks.  Deeper and larger abrasions require more intensive and longer treatment where various medications are administered every 2–4 hours on a 24-hour basis. Thus, the horse has to be admitted to stationary/ inpatient department of the clinic, where a special system is placed under its eyelid allowing to frequently and painlessly administer the necessary medications into the eye. Treatment regularly lasts 4–9 weeks. 

Uvea inflammation (uveitis) treatment in horses

Uveitis is defined as uvea inflammation. Uveitis induces intraocular damage, severe pain, and intraocular pressure increase. Uveitis is one of the most common causes for blindness and eye removal in horses. Clinical symptoms for uveitis include squinting, lacrimation, eye redness and opacity. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent blindness, help avoid or delay complications. Treatment of uveitis includes the use of eye drops and orally administered medications.  The treatment is regularly reoccurring or even lifelong. 

Placement of intrascleral prosthesis

In cases of long-lasting eye pain or blindness due to, for instance, glaucoma, eye removal and subsequent placement of intrascleral prosthesis offer pain relief and enhancement of quality of life. Intrascleral prosthesis gives a cosmetically better result and the animal can move and blink its eye. 
Intrascleral prosthesis is a ball made of black silicon of the same size as the animal’s normal eye.  The prosthesis is placed into the eye through the opening made into the sclera under general anaesthesia. Eyelid, conjunctiva, and cornea are preserved. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and is followed by anti-inflammatory treatment lasting 3–6 weeks. Post-operative eye adaptation to the prosthesis is regularly accompanied with inflammation: cornea turns greyish red, conjunctiva becomes swollen and red, eye squinting may be observed. The symptoms gradually vanish. Finally, cornea turns grey and afterwards – brown, redness and pain disappear.  
Intrascleral prosthesis is suitable for dogs, cats and horses. 
Possible complications include prosthesis rejection, chronic undruggable inflammation and pain. Complications occur rarely.   However, in this case, prosthesis removal can be considered.